Tie Dye Experience

Everyone was really looking forward for our first craft visit and we were luck that it was just an auto ride away from our rangsutra base. The familie buisness was set in a  house in one of bikaners side streets.

By entering the building we already realised that this was a real special place. Mohammed Iqbal and his familie welcomed us and led us in one of there room, where we set down and and within seconds the whole familie and kids from the neighboorhood gathered around us. In this crowded but happy atmosphere they started to show us one beautiful tie dyed fabric after the other. We saw the different range of colours and dying techniques he uses like marble, shiburi,...

For bringing the tie and dye of all this already beautifully finished fabrics more alive Mohammed Iqbal did a presentation of the two main tie dye techniques marble and shiburi gathering. It was impressive to see how fast and precise all this handles were while working.  Every small movement was he performed with such dedication to his work that it was really enjoyable to watch.

      Afterwards  he showed us more of his previous work he did with wool and wool mixed material. With some of the shown fabrics he even won prizes and we also got to see some of  his photoalbums where we saw images of him  recieveing recognition and awards from the government as well as stalls he has set up  with his sons to show his products, it is  a very family orientated buisness. He has recieved a lot of recognition for his work and has had people travel from all over to obtain some of his handicraft, he has also made it online and has had some international sellings of his work  through selling to a man in Jaipur who exports fabric. he has hands of steel and doesn’t even let boiling water make his process  shorter.
 He quoted  "I want to learn but no one can teach me, i have an ocean of skill". 
   He has no doubt about his skill in craft and his worth in this industry but still remains a humble gentle, family orientated man. He let us keep the two samples he had made to show us the technique. By looking at his textiles you can see a clear link between rangsutras designs and his work their is a clear link of inspiration and cohesion.

After this great, intense hours of presentations and .Mohammed Iqbal  the whole families came together again and we took group picture. We all feel an admiration for this mans hard work and skill he has and how he has used this to make a successful work and name for himself. He made us feel compelled towards this mans outlook on life and work. He clearly loves what he does and keeps traditition and tie dye alive in modern fashion range.